This weekend we, as Canadians, celebrated Thanksgiving. As I sat at the dinner table eating turkey and looking out at the sun shining on the trees I gave thanks for the food on our table and our beautiful new home. Then I took a moment to give thanks for all the wonderful people in my life.

I realized that so often in our busy lives we forget to say thank you. Most importantly to say thank you to our colleagues or staff. For example, while I was working for a large corporation they had a recognition program. Well, that’s very nice but sometimes I would have liked someone to say thank you and mean it, not because it’s part of a program. That would have meant more to me than any gift certificate.

As a manager or leader you can gain more by saying thank you. Most people are willing to give more when you give sincere appreciation. Try going up to someone who works for you and give them a heartfelt thank you for their contribution. You’ll both feel good.